Mixed martial artists were was shut out of Businessweek's 2011 "Power 100" list of the most powerful athletes in professional sports.The final rankings contained only one combat sports athlete, boxer Manny Pacquiao, who checked in at No. 24.
In 2010, MMA had two reps in the field: former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and Strikeforce star Fedor Emelianenko.
Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning earned the top slot on the list, leapfrogging golfer Tiger Woods.
The second annual list, compiled by Businessweek and sports consulting firm CSE, measures on-field success and off-field popularity and endorsement income.
In 2010, Emelianenko was No. 82 on the list while Lesnar was No. 96.
MMA's shutout came after a record year of pay-per-view revenue, as the sport continued to outpace boxing and pro wrestling led by Lesnar's box-office appeal.
By comparison, Pacquiao fought twice in 2010, drawing around 700,000 pay-per-view buys for a win over Joshua Clottey and 1.15 million for a November win over Antonio Margarito, while Lesnar drew 1.16 million for a July win over Shane Carwin and 1.05 million in an October championship loss to Cain Velasquez.
Lesnar, Pacquaio and Mike Tyson are the only three combat sports athletes in pay-per-view history to generate at least 1 million buys for a fight in three straight years.
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